Irish empires

Clannad, Altan, and the Chieftains define their own territories
by Jeffrey Gantz

Dark stars

How Earthwurm combine all the modern-rock segments
by Brett Milano

Love connection

The Afghan Whigs tackle the dark and tender trap
by Stephanie Zacharek

Singin' peace

Mare Streetpeople sings more than the blues
by Liz Rourke

Big bad John

Johnny Cash delivers bottom-line heart and soul at Avalon
by Ted Drozdowski

Xerxes triumphs

The Lyric reunites Lorraine Hunt, Craig Smith, and Handel
by Lloyd Schwartz

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Once Blue, ONCE BLUE
Randy Weston's African Rhythms, SAGA
Eddy Clearwater, BOOGIE MY BLUES AWAY
Archers of Loaf, THE SPEED OF CATTLE
Grover, MY WILD LIFE
Fugees, THE SCORE
Tomasz Stanko Quartet, MATKA JOANNA FROM THE ANGELS
Butterglory, ARE YOU BUILDING A TEMPLE IN HEAVEN
The Drovers Old Time Medicine Show, SUNDAY AT PRATER'S CREEK